Overview - Surah 54: al-Qamar (The Moon )
The Surah talks about the approaching Day of Judgment. It describes some of the scenes of that Day. It also tells us that Allah's judgment may come here and now. There are references to the flood that came at the time of Prophet Noah, the punishment of the people of 'Ad, Thamud, People of Prophet Lot, the Pharaoh and his people. It ends with the good news for the Believers who will be near their Lord in the gardens of bliss.
Sections:
- The Day of Judgment is near. References to Prophet Noah, and to the tribe of 'Ad,
- References to the Thamud tribe, Prophet Lot and his people.
- Pharaoh and his arrogance. The opponents in Makkah are told whether they think they are better or more powerful than those nations. The wrong doers did suffer the consequences of their evil deeds.
This Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]." (54:1). Surah al-Qamar is in the 27th Juzz and the word Qamar [moon] appears in the Qur'an 27 times. An interesting observation is that the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days.
There are 55 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 55 |
| Total Words * | 342 |
| Root Words * | 145 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 37th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 8th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Lut
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (moon), Badr, Grave, Hell, Hud, Judgement (Day) , Judgement (Day) (moon split asunder), Locusts, Lot, Noah, Noah (ark) , Noah (flood) , Pharaoh, Qur’an, Record of personal deeds, Resurrection (Day) , Thamud, Thamud (she camel) , Thamud (she camel) (killing of), Thamud (she camel) (punishment for), Weather (wind)
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Theme 1: The Sunnah [practice] of Allah in dealing with those who belie and deny His Ayat [signs].
In this Surah the disbelievers of Makkah have been warned for their stubbornness which they had adopted against the invitation of the Prophet. The amazing and wonderful phenomenon of the splitting of the Moon was a manifest sign of the truth that the Resurrection, of which the Prophet was giving them the news, could take place and that it had approached near at hand. The great sphere of the Moon had split into two distinct parts in front of their very eyes. The two parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other side of it. Then, in an instant the two had rejoined. This was a manifest proof of the truth that the system of the Universe was neither eternal nor immortal, it could be disrupted. Huge stars and planets could split asunder, disintegrate, collide with each other, and everything that had been depicted in the Qur’an in connection with the description of the details of Resurrection, could happen. Not only this: it was also a portent that the disintegration of the system of the Universe had begun and the time was near when Resurrection would take place. The Prophet invited the people’s attention to this event only with this object in view and asked them to mark it and be a witness to it. But the disbelievers described it as a magical illusion and persisted in their denial. For this stubbornness they have been reproached in this Surah.
The Surah revolves around the Signs of Allah and those who belie and deny them from amongst the polytheists. The splitting of the Qamar [moon] is amongst the great signs shown by God to the people of Makkah which they still resulted on them continuing their disbelief.
- The Hour:
اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]." (54:1)
بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ " But the Hour is their appointment [for due punishment], and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter." (54:46)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
- The previous Surah an-Najm [The Star] and this Surah al-Qamar [The Moon] both are named after heavenly bodies.
- There are 55 Ayat in Surah al-Qamar. Surah ar-Rahman is Surah no. 55.
- Surah al-Qamar ends with mentioning that the Believers will be with the King. Surah ar-Rahman begins with who this King is - He is ar-Rahman [the Most Merciful]
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ "In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allah, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour) (54:55)
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ "The Most Merciful." (55:1) - Both Surah al-Qamar and ar-Rahman end with the mention of Paradise.
- Allah Almighty repeats the following Ayat 4 times in this Surah, وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ "And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (54:17) (54:22) (54:32) (54:40)
- Allah Almighty repeats these words 4 times in this Surah, فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ "And how [severe] were My punishment and warning." (54:16) (54:18) (54:21) (54:30)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = * | ||
The incident of the ‘splitting of the moon’ (shaqq-al-Qamar) that has been mentioned in this Surah, determines its period of revelation precisely. The traditionists and commentators are agreed that this incident took place at Mina in Makkah about five years before the Prophet’s migration (Hijra) to Madīnah.
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حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ ضَمْرَةَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ الْمَازِنِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، سَأَلَ أَبَا وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ مَا كَانَ يَقْرَأُ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الأَضْحَى وَالْفِطْرِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِـ { ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ} وَ { اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانْشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ}
'Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that (his father) 'Umar b. Khattab asked Abu Waqid al-Laithi what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite on 'Id-ul-Adha and 'Id-ul-Fitr. He said: He used to recite in them:" Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an" (Surah Qaf)," The Hour drew near, and the moon was rent asunder" (Surah al-Qamar)" Sahih Muslim no. 1936
- The Day of Judgment is drawing near yet the unbelievers are not paying heed to the signs of Allah.
- We have made the Qur'an easy to understand the admonition, so is there any who would take the admonition?
- The story of Thamud and Lut who called their Prophet liars to show how terrible was Allah's scourge and how clear was His warning.
- Allah Almighty repeats the following Ayat 4 times in this Surah, وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ "And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (54:17) (54:22) (54:32) (54:40)
- People of Fir'on were seized for disbelieving Allah's warning. The same warning has come to you, will you not take admonition?
- The dua is the greatest weapon in the possession of the Believer. As Prophet Nuh prayed, فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَغْلُوبٌ فَانتَصِرْ "So he invoked his Lord, "Indeed, I am overpowered, so help." (54:10)
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 50 - 55) A Far Greater Perspective Yet the question of elaborate planning is far greater than this. Indeed everything that takes place in the universe: all events in all directions, large and small, take place according to a plan and in a set measure. This applies to every occurrence in history, every feeling experienced by every individual, every breath, etc. Each breath takes place in due measure with regard to time, place and other factors and circumstances. It is related to the universal system and taken into account in the overall universal balance, just like major events. A wild, little plant that sends out its shoot in the open desert is placed there according to an accurate measure. It fulfils a function that is related to the existence of the universe. The same applies to a single ant moving to its destination, a particle in the air, an organism floating on water, just as it applies to the huge celestial bodies in this vast universe. All are there in due measure with regard to time, place, quantity, shape and form, maintaining due balance in all situations. Who can say, for example, that the Prophet Jacob's marriage to a second wife who gave him his two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, was not a personal affair, but rather an intended event serving an overall plan? It was planned that Joseph's half brothers should feel very jealous of him, take him and throw him in the well, after they had thought of killing him, so that a travelling caravan would pick him up and sell him in Egypt where he would find a home in the palace of the Chief Minister. There, he would then be subjected to the Minister's wife's advances, but he resisted all temptation and as a result was thrown into prison. Why? There he would meet two of Pharaoh's servants and interpret their dreams. 'Why? Until that moment, there is absolutely no answer. People wonder why Joseph should go through all this suffering? Why should his father, who is a prophet, suffer until he loses his eyesight? The first answer comes after a quarter of a century of suffering. Divine will has been preparing him to supervise the affairs of Egypt, its people and the populations of the surrounding areas during seven years of drought. And then what? He brings his parents and brothers to Egypt where their offspring constitute the Children of Israel who were later persecuted by Pharaoh. Then Moses is born and his life is also carefully planned. Beyond that, various issues, events and trends arise, having a bearing on human life throughout the world until today. Who can say, for example, that the Prophet Abraham's marriage to Hagar, the Egyptian woman, was not a personal affair, but rather, along with the events preceding it in Abraham's life, part of a careful plan. It involved all the events leading to his forsaking his home town in Iraq, going to Egypt where he married Hagar and she gave him his first son, Ishmael. Then he took Ishmael and his mother, leaving them in the neighbourhood of the yet to be built Sacred Mosque in Makkah. Muhammad, (peace be upon him), would then be born out of Abrahams seed in Arabia, the most suitable place on earth for the Islamic message. This series of events then culminated in the most important one in the history of mankind. God's will remains behind the far end of every thread, every event: birth, point, step, change and ultimate result. All occur in accordance with His will which is profound, all comprehensive and inevitable. People sometimes see only the near end of the thread, but not its far end. There could be an extended, long span of time between the beginning and end in their own lives, which makes them unable to see the wisdom behind what takes place. They will then try to hasten things, and may also offer suggestions. They may even go beyond this, demonstrating anger and impudence. God teaches them in the Qur'an that everything occurs in due measure and appropriate proportion. Therefore, they should leave things to the One who controls all. This will give them comfort and reassurance, and they will then be sure of the balance and coordination brought about by God's will. Operating the Divine Will Along with the elaborate planning and the assigning of due measures goes God's power, which accomplishes the greatest of events by the simplest means: "Our command is but once, like the twinkling of an eye." (Verse 50) It takes just a signal or one word and everything, great or tiny, is done. In fact there is nothing to distinguish great from tiny; it is all part of how human beings see things. Nor is there a question of time, not even the twinkling of an eye; it is merely a metaphor to help people understand. Time is no more than a human conception that arises from the position of the earth and its rotation. As far as God and His plans are concerned, it has no significance. The command is given just once and this entire universe comes into existence. Similarly, any change in it can be accomplished. Just one command and it will all go away as God wishes. In everything, the command is given once only: bringing anyone into life, taking it here or there, causing it to die, bringing it back in some shape or form, resurrecting all creatures from all generations to gather them for the reckoning and reward. It is a once only command that requires no effort or time, because it comes from the Almighty in due measure and with perfect ease. It was always a once-only command to bring about the terrible fate of communities that rejected the truth of God's message. The surah reminds its addressees of the fates suffered by communities who, like them, rejected the truth: "We destroyed people like you in the past. Will anyone take heed? Everything they do is noted in their records. Every single thing, small or great, is recorded." (Verses 51-53) Those fates are mentioned in the surah, but people need to take heed and think of the likely outcome of the position they take towards God's message. Yet the story is not over for those communities that suffered such calamities; they have to face further reckoning that takes account of every little thing: "Everything they do is noted in their records," which will be submitted on the Day of Reckoning. "Every single thing, small or great, is recorded," so that nothing is forgotten. Now the surah shows a different image of trust and safety. It is the destiny enjoyed by the righteous: "The God-fearing will be in gardens and running waters, in a seat of truth, in the presence of an all-powerful Sovereign." (Verses 54-55) They enjoy all this while the evildoers are in error, in raging flames where they are dragged with their faces down and rebuked. This image describes the bliss which the God-fearing enjoy in its two components, the physical and the spiritual. The physical aspect, granted for the senses, is summed up in an all-embracing phrase, in gardens and running waters'. The very sound of these words adds connotations of ease, comfort and enjoyment. The spiritual component touches the heart and mind; it is the bliss of being close to God: "in a seat of truth, in the presence of an all-powerful Sovereign." It is a steady, firm seat, giving pleasure and reassurance because it is close to where all eyes are focused. This is all because these righteous people fear God and are apprehensive of what may become of them. God will not allow double fear to overwhelm anyone: fearing Him in this present life and fear in the life to come. Whoever truly fears Him in this world will be safe and reassured in the next. As good believers enjoy security at the time and place of greatest fear, they are granted a pleasant environment and honour. With this soft rhythm and pleasant outcome, the surah that portrayed a series of distressing and fearful images comes to an end. This gives its conclusion a more profound effect. It is a perfect way of educating by the One who knows how to influence hearts and souls. This is yet another aspect of operating the accurate measure by the One who has created everything in due measure. All glory to the One who knows all. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite. The average distance from the Moon to the Earth is 384403 kilometres (238857 miles). The Moon is in synchronous rotation with Earth, always showing the same face, with its near side marked by dark volcanic maria that fill the spaces between the bright ancient crustal highlands and the prominent impact craters. As seen from the Earth, it is the second-brightest regularly visible celestial object in Earth's sky, after the Sun. Its surface is actually dark, although compared to the night sky it appears very bright, with a reflectance just slightly higher than that of worn asphalt. Its gravitational influence produces the ocean tides, body tides, and the slight lengthening of the day.
The word Qamar [moon] appears in the Qur'an 27 times and the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 or so days.
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ye10chk9GY&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=54
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6eiES0kLvg&index=54&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z46WSHuYRvs&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=54
- Idris Akbar Surah Al-Qamar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsaFHsy4wgs
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRyHP6_k-mg&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=54
